[FascistLibertarian]

[Rusty Bedsprings]

abortion is baaaad says bah bah black sheep. I think that if the mother wants to kill the baby we should wait till the baby can speak and then ask it if it would like us to kill it. Of cource it is only fair if the gov funded the babys needs up to that point. if the kid chose to die then the mom does not have to pay the gov back, but if the kid decids to let us kill him then its the govs fault and so it should bear the fiscal burden of keeping the child alive untill it could make the decition.

[ezbeatz]

Looking at the results, we're pretty evenly split. I think most people in Canada would support the 22-week option.

[crazymamma]

[Habsrwfan]

I picked the "past the first trimester" option. From what I've learned in reading up on child development within the womb, I believe that we have an unborn child that is very close to a newborn baby by the beginning of the 2nd Trimester. At this point, we have a beating heart, brainwave activity, and a unborn child with the basic human form and features of a newborn baby only on a far smaller scale.

I personally dislike all elective abortions, but I have to admit that the science on the matter is murky within the 1st Trimester - it really is a matter of personal moral belief whether or not an unborn child in the 1st Trimester deserves the same basic rights and protections that a newborn baby are afforded. However, I see the science on the matter being pretty firm and conclusive as it pertains to 2nd trimester and beyond elective abortions.

However, I am flexible here. I've heard child viability suggested as a legal cutoff point, and I'd certainly take that over the status quo.

[lucamanfredi]

Abortion debates always attract the most passionate attacks against the opposing side. I am on the pro-choice side, and I'd definitely like a law, so that people know what the rules actually are. Because when we have a set of rules we can actually enforce them.

I favor the viability clause, if anything because at least by then you know there's a great chance of the kid surviving. going about systematically attempting to keep every aborted foetus alive would be, from a cold-hearted money point of view, an inefficient use of medical resources.

If public financing is an issue, then state that the first one is on the public (we all make mistakes) and any further ones will be charged at full price unless there's a police report (rape, under the influence, etc) or proof of contraceptive failure. Since this point isn't very practical, bring contraceptives and proper sex ed to the public. If we aren't prepared to prevent it we can't shy away from footing the bill.

Some women make the mistake and choose to have abortions because at a later time they'll be able to afford the kid a greater amount of attention and a better lifestyle (e.g. they'll be further in their careers). Try going through a year at university pregnant, and a mother from then...

As for abortions due to genetic defects I will concede to forbidding them ONLY when I will see free, quick and accessible genetic tests for couples and individuals and FREE pre-implantation screening. No-one will persuade me that the world is filled with good samaritans who will adopt any and every baby, no matter the genetic make-up. I run on the assumption that virtue is an exception. I believe that certain gene mutations causing disease should be gradually phased out of the human gene pool. Prevention at the source (couple genetic tests) is the best option.

I'll end on a more psych note. If we ban all abortions, we take choice away. When they feel they have no choice, human beings tend to do very stupid things.

[Rusty Bedsprings]

it has been proved that a baby as soon as six weeks from conception can feel pain. Now you tell me, takeing this last bit of relitively new info (last year or so) as true that under any circumstances killing the baby could be morally right. I am pro choice, the babys choice that is. once the baby is old enough to speek see if he/she wants to kill themselves. Let the baby decide.

[Cole]

Having abortions available lowers the long-term crime rate. That's the main reason why I support it.

[Mac]

[crazymamma]

[Cole]

Ever read the book "freakonomics", the author gives an interesting perspective, on the connection

Here's the wikipedia page with links to some of those studies:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L......27s_study

[Craig]

[Cole]

yeah, but i t makes me more comfortable with my pro-choice position, knowing the link.

[crazymamma]

[cuzzin_elias]

Your forgot one option.... legalizing them all